"The Princess Within"

What an incredible weekend! My friend Melissa and I traveled to Kinston, NC to speak to a precious group of girls at The Gate Community Center.

The theme of the conference was "The Princess Within". It was so wonderful to be able to share with these young girls just how Jesus sees and cherishes them! Around 70 girls came to spend the day learning more about the truth of who they are once they give their lives to Jesus.

Diane Hardee opened the morning by sharing her testimony of how her mother died from an abortion of her 7th child. It was very poweful.

There is no greater joy in my life than when I have an opportunity such as this to be able to share my love for my Prince and even more so, His passionate love for His love (us!).

Thank you so much, Wanda and Margaret, for inviting us to come to Kinston and share in investing in the hearts of young girls.

Truett Cathy said, "It is better to build boys rather than mend men." I couldn't have said it better!

Pray for Me!

This morning, my friend Melissa and I are heading to Kinston, North Carolina to share with some teen girls just how much Jesus loves them! Please pray for us that we will be His conduit and that they will have a revealtion of who He is!!

Have an incredible weekend!

Lynn

The Heart of the Matter

On Thursdays, we are studying "He Speaks to Me" by Priscilla Shirir. Today we are on chapter 6 - The Heart of the Matter.

Priscilla asks some very heart provoking questions:
"Is our goal to turn eyes toward Him or toward us?"
"Lord, what things are important to you?"

The one that spurred my heart the most was "What type of worshippers is He looking for?" John 4:21 - 24 in the Living New Testament "Jesus replied, "The time is coming, when we will no longer be concerned about whether to worship the Father here or in Jerusalem. For it's not where we worship that counts, but how we worship - is our worship spiritual and real? Do we have the Holy Spirit's help? For God is Spirit, and we must have His help to worship as we should."

When Greg and I first got married, he would try his hardest to buy me outfits, but they just didn't seem to go together. Greg is color-blind, making it very difficult for him to put together outfits on his own. Now days, Greg has no problem; he simply takes Mariah along. Mariah is a girl, has terrific taste, knows her mom's taste and is not color blind.

In this same way, we need to partner with the Holy Spirit when we are worshipping God. He knows God best and can help us to worship the Father the way He wants to be worshipped.

Ask the Holy Spirit for His help; its exactly what He is best at doing!

Say "Yes"

4:50 a.m. Not my ideal time for waking up, but if I am going to succeed at finishing a half marathon in December, it's what I have to do. You see, this is the time that my friends are able to run. If I'm not going to run alone, I have to get up and do what I don't want to do.

This morning, our run started out as normal. The two fast runners ahead, with my friend and I a bit behind, but shortly into our run, my friend felt sick and needed to turn back. What was I going to do? I needed to run at least five miles. I have been feeling weaker and knew I needed to push my body. But keeping up with two fast, well-seasoned runners in the pitch black seemed beyond me. I chose to go.

My legs burned as I struggled to keep up the pace. My lungs ached as it breathed in and out the cool October air faster than normal. I so wanted to quit. My mind kept saying, "It's ok, Lynn, you can't keep going at this pace. You'll be alright if you walk a bit." Yet, I knew that Greg would never want me to be out running in the dark alone. I needed to keep up.

As I fought to keep my body going, I thought of my Jesus. How He has given me life. How He has called me to keep going. Though my thoughts fight me at times. Though those around me fall behind or quit, He calls me to push on. Push myself to follow hard after Him, even when it feels like I cannot.

I made it. I ran 5 miles in 43 minutes and 22 seconds - faster than I have ever run before. I had friends who were with me and I didn't quit.

During my time of personal worship with the Lord this morning, I sang Him this song written by Matt Redman:

Yes and Amen

Hear your people saying yes
Hear your people saying yes to you
Yes to everything you ask
Yes to anything we're called to do

Hear your people say amen
Hear your people say amen to you
Let your kingdom come on earth
Let it be just like we prayed to you

Yes and Amen to everything that's in your heart
yes and amen to EVERYTHING that you have planned
We live to see your will be done
And see your perfect kingdom come on earth, on earth
Yes and Amen, we're taking up our cross for you
Give us the strength to take these dreams and follow through
We live to see your will be done
And see your perfect kingdom come on earth, on earth


May it be so, in our lives, Sweet King!

Stand True

Today is the Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity. Please be sure this November 4th to vote for those who have no voice. The Lord will hold us accountable for the lives of those who have been lost under our watch. We must speak up for them.

Below is information from Stand True.

Make sure and register for the 2008 Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity at www.silentday.org

Tomorrow is the 5th annual Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity; are you ready?

I wanted to first share an e-mail which I received last night that brought tears to my eyes.

“I got one girl to not get an abortion because I took a ZERO in class for this and she started crying. She pulled me into the bathroom and told me she was pregnant and was going to have an abortion and she said because of how much this meant to me she didn't! We both sat in the bathroom and cried for a few minutes." The ended up giving birth and her baby was adopted.

Even if this were the only e-mail I got with a story like this, it makes all the effort worth it. The truth is, I get dozens of e-mails like this every year from students who participate in the Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity. We are so blessed to see what God is doing with this event.

Some Important Reminders

1. Please remember that not everyone is going to be nice to you tomorrow; in fact you will probably experience some harassment for participating. It is important that you remain peaceful and loving towards everyone, no matter how nasty they are to you.

2. This is a day of prayer and solidarity, not a day of rebellion. Please stay focused on why we are doing this and remain in a prayerful attitude all day.

3. If someone needs to talk to you about abortion it is ok to break your silence. The girl in the opening story broke her silence last year and was able to help her friend and a baby was saved because of it.

4. Please take pictures and write down your experiences about the day. You can submit them on the web site or e-mail them to us. This helps us show the world how many of us are pro-life.

5. If you have a blog, MySpace, Facebook or other web site, please promote this event tonight.

Here are some of the groups and events on Facebook and MySpace you can use to promote:

Invite your friends on Facebook to the official event at http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=5669658602

Invite your friends on MySpace to the official Silent Day Page at http://www.myspace.com/silenced12273

Invite your friends to the official group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5669658602#/group.php?gid=2248662014

We would also like to ask everyone to please add the official song "Silent Screams", from the band My Brother's Scars to your MySpace. http://www.myspace.com/mybrothersscars

I want to thank you so much for taking a stand and being a voice for the babies and for Christ. I will be praying for all of you tomorrow as you light up the darkness.

Very Important

Has the Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity been a blessing to you? Have you seen the amount of good that has come from this event over the past 4 years? Do you believe in this event and Stand True (the ministry that puts it on every year)?

If so, we would ask you to please consider helping to support this event with a donation. It takes a lot of time and money to make this amazing, pro-life, witnessing, opportunity happen. I know most of you are students and don't have a lot of money. Most of you will spend at least $5 on a value meal or some kind of fancy latte between now and the event. Would you consider skipping that meal or coffee to help the Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity?

Here are four ways to donate:

1) Send a PayPal donation to store@standtrue.com

2) Go to www.silentday.org and click on the donate button

3) Call the office at 937.339.5648 and make a credit card donation

4) Send a check to Stand True - PO Box 890 - Troy, OH 45373

The Vision Behind the Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity

In the spring of 2004, a student from McNeese State University asked me, "What can I do to work with other students around the country, in solidarity, to help end abortion?"

When I speak to students, I am often asked: "What can I do? I have ideas, but I don't know what to do with them. Can I really make a difference? I'm just one person."

In 2004, the question set off a spark in my head.

I replied, "What if we got students to not only act in solidarity with others, but also with the children that are dying every day?" As soon as I said it, I knew God had set something in motion.

At the time, I was working from the basement of my home with a computer, a web site, and a small e-mail list I'd collected over the previous months. I wasn't sure what could be accomplished with that, but I offered it to God and started sending out emails.

Now, something that started as just a few thousand students from 300 campuses has grown into a nation-wide outpouring of love and action. The Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity is on its fourth year and there are tens of thousands of people on thousands of campuses around the world.

Hearts are being changed, babies are being saved, and women are being spared the trauma of post-abortive pain. People are coming together in unity to promote a culture of life. Personhood is being restored on campuses across the nation.

I really cannot take any credit for the success of this movement. It is only God who grants us the power to do this. I was one person who listened to God and through Him acted on the vision He gave me.

If you have an idea, a vision or dream, don't be afraid to stand up and let your voice be heard. Don't doubt what you can accomplish with Christ. Don't think that because you are just one person you can't make a difference.

"I have a dream"— a statement powerfully spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and yet so much more than just words. He did not cower in the face of adversity. He spoke those words with passion and conviction. He challenged the world to stand up for the rights and equality of all men.

I, too, have a dream. I, too, will not cower in the face of adversity. I believe that, through Christ, we can restore personhood to the most innocent of our brothers and sisters: the children in the womb.

Today, 4000 of my generation will be silenced.

Today, 4000 of my brothers and sisters lives will be ended simply because of their age.

Today, I will stand up and share my dream, my idea, and my vision with the world.

Will you stand with me?

For Christ I stand,

Bryan Kemper - bryankemper@standtrue.com

Founder - Pro-life Day of Silent Solidarity
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Remind Me Again - I'm the Mom!

If you are joining us today after reading my devotion with the Proverbs 31 "Encouragement for Today" welcome! If you would like to read the devo, you can find it at Proverbs 31.org.

Last night I had the privilege of hearing two seasoned parents share about what has worked in their experience in raising godly kids. They each have kids in their mid-twenties down to kids in middle school.

A lot of the things they shared, I have heard or experienced before, but it was SO good to hear from another set of parents that it is ok to be the parents who stick out a bit; a parent whose standards don't go with the flow of modern culture.

It was also good to be reminded that rules without relationship produce rebellion. It is so important to have those pre-set boundaries that everyone in the house know. They are not a surprise. They are not created on the spot or packed with emotion. They are in place before the "game starts" - like the chalked in line on the softball.

But sometimes in the day to day struggle of raising godly kids in an ungodly world, I get exhausted and become tempted to say to things to avoid the inevitable argument. I have to remember to "Not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not". (I obviously had to memorize that one in the King James in middle school. How good it is that it stuck with me!) Last night, I was reminded that what goes in, does come out - eventually! So, keep on putting the Word in. He has promised us in His Word that it will not return void...it will produce fruit!

Cinderella-Style

Kneading. Mixing. Washing. Those are just some of the verbs that describe my husband as he busily prepares for 35 co-workers to come over for an evening of homemade pizza. He just commented on how much fun he was having. Fun? I guess it all has to do with perspective.

That adjective did not cross my mind about my activity. Scrubbing a floor Cinderella-style has never been my idea of "fun". But as I was rubbing off the left over dirt from a summer's worth of play on the floor and walls, I thought about how EVERYTHING I do I can do for Him. That includes fall cleaning. Perspective. Attitude. May I finish out the day the way that the day has begun - serving Him - Cinderella-style.

The Real Deal

On Thursdays, we have been studying Priscilla Shirer's book He Speaks to Me. Today I heard just what I needed.

Next weekend, I am traveling with another speaker from Proverbs 31, Melissa Taylor to Kinston, NC to speak to a group of teenagers. Melissa asked me yesterday to give my testimony in one of the sessions. For years, I struggled with my "testimony"; it just seemed like there wasn't a lot to share. I didn't have an incredible story to tell of how the Lord saved me from destruction...or so I thought.

This morning, while reading this chapter, Priscilla used just the words that describes me. "Moses' problem was that although he reverenced God, he didn't know Him very well." That was my problem too! I believed in Jesus. Obeyed Him in most every way I knew how to; I just didn't know Him very well. Later she says, "Understanding God's attributes - the distinguishing marks of His character - helps us appreciate Him in a deeper, more intimate way as it moves us from knowing ABOUT Him to knowing Him. Because God is beyond our comprehension, what we know about Him can come in only one way: He must reveal it to us." p.59

Wow. That is what happened to me. The King of the Universe revealed Himself to me and I was transformed. I discovered that He was flipped-out, madly in love with me and I have never been the same since! God chose to reveal Himself to Moses. God chose, in His grace and mercy, to reveal Himself to me. That is my prayer for the dear girls I will speak to next week: That God will choose to reveal Him to them and meet them.

May that be your prayer today. I know it is one He can't wait to answer!

Running on Empty

So, my day hasn't gotten off to the terrific start that I would have liked! Madi left her homework on the counter when we rushed off to CYC (Christian Youth Coalition) at 6:45 a.m. When I got back home, I yelled out to Greg, who was vaccuming the pool, "Madi left her homework." "Are you going to take it to her." "No" was my quick response. I'm pretty big on letting kids learn to be responsible by having them pay the consequences for their actions. Greg looked up at me and asked the dreaded question "Would you like it to be brought to you if you had left it?". That's was all it took. I grabbed my purse and was off.

You see, the Lord has shown me much mercy in my life...especially over the past couple of days. Friday night, I was driving to Charleston to see my sister, Mary and needed to stop in Moncks Corner, South Carolina to pick up her daughter, Julia. Using Mapquest, I knew exactly how many miles it was to her exit and figured it would work out just right to stop, get gas and pick her up...one nice stop. About 20 miles from the exit, my gas light came on. "That's ok" I thought. I get about 30 miles per gallon; I'll just be sure I pick up Julia before I head the 13 miles down the road to her town".

Lo and behold, when I got to that exit, it was country. Just country. No gas, no fast food, no people. Just country. My heart started to pound a little. I started heading down the road, thinking gas would be just around the corner. No gas. Meanwhile, I had missed the turn to head down to Julia's place. Now I'm starting to think, "I have so little gas (the needle is now past the E), I can't turn around. I need to find help". Right about now, I am really wishing I had bought one of those handy GPS units back when Greg suggested it. I asked the girls to pray. No longer is my heart racing a little - it is full on NASCAR time! As we pass by little farm houses, I ask the Lord for His mercy and help. Just then, we spot a tiny country church with two older folks sweeping the steps of it. (Just like you would picture in a movie! No joke!) I step out and ask them where was the nearest gas station. They chuckle a little bit, which doesn't make me feel any too comfortable! The little old man says, "I got a gas can. Do you need some?" Feeling rather stupid, I wait for the lady to speak. She says there is a general store about three miles down, but she is not sure if they will have any gas. I thank them for the advice and head down the road.

There is was. It looked just like a place right out of "The Andy Griffith Show". I pulled up to the pump, filled with relief. Madi stuck her head out and asked "Where is the pay at the pump?" She had never seen one where the numbers spin on a dial!

When I was done pumping, the gauge read 10.3 gallons. My manual says I have a 10 gallon tank, so I saw this as nothing short of a miracle.

Hopefully next time I see someone in my life who is in need of mercy, I will be not so quick to forget my little adventure with God in Moncks Corner.

Amani Tea

Beautiful Woman of Africa singing praises to our King!

Here is their team and our team together (I was the picture taker!)

Thursday was a day like no other! In the Proverbs 31 office, we had a rare opportunity to host a tea for the most beautiful woman from Africa! They are here in Charlotte representing an organization called "Amani".

Amani is an organization who rescues women fleeing from war torn areas of Africa. Located in Kenya, Amani is a safe haven for women who come in with little hope and much grief. The women are fed, clothed, and given hope through the message of Christ. They are also taught current and solid business principals. They are encouraged in their independence (depending only on Christ) and taught a craft or skill. These creative women who are able to dig to depths in their soul to reach for design inspiration then create fashion and accessories that are sold in a wealthier global economy.

We were blessed to not only have the opportunity to fellowship with them, but also got to be entertained as well! The harmony that these women have together is incredible! It was so neat to be able to spend some time with women who are also helping women even if our ministries are across the ocean from each other!

Just think what heaven is going to be like!

Single-Minded Worship

Hey Gals,

I am SO SORRY that I missed our study day yesterday. It was a day that was overflowing and I just didn't get a chance to write.

So, today we are going to look at chapter four of He Speaks to Me by Priscilla Shirer. Priscilla challenges in this chapter to look at our worship to the Lord. On page 55 she speaks of God sharing His glory with no one. My favorite line was "Ministry is when the people who hear you don't want more of you; they want more of Him because of what you've said. When you point them to God's fire instead of trying to get attention for yourself - that's ministry."

What is there to say after that? I think we can ask ourselves who we are trying to draw attention to in every area of our lives: when we cook and clean, do a project at work or take a meal to a sick friend. I know whenever I feel like I didn't get the thanks "I deserve" it is sure sign that it is all about me and not about Him.

I hope you have an incredible weekend. I am taking my two precious girls and going to Charleston for the weekend to see my big sister. I'll come back and tell you all about it!

Hold on!

The warning went out. Most of the people have been evacuated, yet there on the shoreline stands the weather man. Holding on to a pole for dear life as a hurricane comes on shore. That pole is holding him in place as the storm pounds away. To us, he looks crazy. To him, he is doing what he is suppose to as long as he can hold on to the pole.

Jesus tells the Jews in John 8:31-32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

As the storm of economic crisis is pounding the cities of our country, I picture believers everywhere, holding on the "pole" of our King and His Word. How we weather this storm is a true test. For some, the test will be knowing where to even find the "pole". You see, in order to be able to hold to something, you have to first know where it is. In order to hold on to Jesus, you have to know His Words.

The second part reveals the calm that is for those who are holding on. "Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Maybe this storm is exactly what many of us need. Maybe we have been thinking our jobs, our savings, our plans have set us up; given us a solid future. Jesus' primary concern is not for our jobs, our savings, our plans. He wants us to hold to HIM. To find in Him the truth that brings true freedom.

The news will come today. It may be another huge drop in the Dow Jones. It may be another failed financial institution. We don't know. What we DO know, is that Jesus is the truth and we can choose to hold on tight to Him while this storm comes. He is the rock that cannot be moved and He is the calm before, during and after the storm.

Is Jesus Enough?

Most of you know that I am associated with a ministry called Proverbs 31. Each day they send out a daily devotional to those who would like to received encouragement. I thought today's was very good and wanted to share it with you:

Is Jesus Enough?

by Lysa TerKeurst



“That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)


I stopped in my tracks the other day as I was mindlessly singing a beautiful praise song. I say mindlessly not because I wasn't focusing on God. I was definitely lifting up my heart to Him. But the mindlessly part came when I realized I had no clue of the weight of the words in this song. Did I really mean what I was singing? The song said this to Jesus: "You're all I want. You're all I ever needed."

Really? Did I really mean those words? Is my Jesus enough? Ultimately the question should be: Is my relationship with Jesus in such a place that if He was truly all I had today, would I still stand and sing those powerful song lyrics?

The economy is shaky, funds are tight, prices at the gas pumps and grocery store keep rising. Am I going to let my heart be drawn into a place of worry and fear over all this instability? Or will I quiet my soul and calmly proclaim, “Jesus is my Provider and He is enough.”

Today my son Jackson, who just got his driver's license, will be driving to a friend's house to watch the football game. His friend lives less than five miles from our house. But statistics show that most car accidents happen on the roads we are most familiar with, those closest to our homes. Will I be able to smile, tell him to be careful and let him drive down our driveway with full confidence that no matter what, Jesus is enough?

I don't know what kinds of twists and turns might come during my life journey. But, I know the only way to travel with a joyful peace is to settle in my heart the answer to this question once and for all. So, today, I declare Jesus is enough. Before I even know in what way this declaration will be tested, I've made the decision to say it, believe it and settle it.

Jesus is enough.

I think this is why Proverbs 31 is my favorite portrait of a godly woman. Proverbs 31:25 reminds us, "she can laugh at the days to come.”

She was filled with such incredible joy not because life was perfect but simply because she had decided to make laughter, peace, and truth the hallmarks of her life. Proverbs 31:30 goes on to say this was a woman to be praised because she so reverenced God in the shrine of her heart. She knew without a doubt, He was - and still is - enough.

Dear Lord, Thank You that in this world we don’t have to live consumed with fear of the unknown. For You know all things. Nothing will happen to us that does not first pass through Your hands. May I find peace in Your love, which is so consuming for us that You only have our best interests in mind. Help us to believe and trust in that truth no matter what. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Lysa’s Blog today for a list of reassuring Scriptures about God’s love.

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst


Application Steps:

The next time you start to fret over the “what if” questions, verbalize that Jesus is enough no matter what. Write down the power verses below and keep them in your purse until you’ve memorized them. Being able to have access to God’s truth will guard your heart and your mind.

Reflections:
Have you ever thought about whether or not Jesus is enough in your life?

What are some ways to put this devotional thought into practice in your life today?

How would your relationships improve if you had this kind of peace?

Power Verses:

Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…” (NIV)

Isaiah 54:10, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (NIV)

2 Timothy 1:12, “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.



Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Passing Through

Not too long ago, I took a plane trip. Shortly after I got on the plane, I settled in. I hung up my curtains, put up my family picture, rolled out a rug, plugged in my tv, computer and phone and hung up my clothes. Ridiculous hun?

I was thinking this morning as I was preparing for a speaking event in a couple of weeks, that this is exactly what lots of us are doing in this life. We are "settling" in on this planet as if this is our final destination. Our daily routines reflect this. Our VISA bills reflect this. Our future calendars reflect this. But if we truly believe that heaven is our home, than this place really needs to be seen as the temporary passage that it is.

Greg and I have carpet in our upstairs that is 12 years old. As you can imagine, with 3 kids growing up here and countless others who have called it "home" over the years, it is one sorry sight. We have had plans to replace this fall, but are rethinking those plans. With what is going on in the investment world, is this a good decision? In the long run, is it really very important? Sometimes, I really need to take a step back and ask myself that question. In light of eternity, who really cares if my carpet is worn out?

Today, let's look at our lives and ask ourselves: Does my life reflect the fact that I am just passing through? If not, Lord, show me today how you want me to change and then give me the strength to store up my treasures in heaven and not here on earth.

Provision

Banking and Charlotte. The two go hand in hand. Like many here in this beautiful city, our livelihood is connected to this service. Like many, we have a choice to make. To look at what is taking place in our country and choose fear and panic or to look at what is taking place in our country and ask the Lord, "What do You want to do in me through this?". Yesterday, when discussing trust with my friends, I was reminded that the Lord said He will provide for His own. That provision is not just financial. It is also spiritual and emotional. He promises us in 2 Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

Like the majority of His promises, we have a part to play. We have to choose power, love and the sound mind that He is giving. In order to choose these, not only do we need to accept these gifts, we also have to make a conscious choice to turn away from fear.

Today, I am going to choose His power to walk in love. I choose the sound mind He promised (I have to...I lost the one He gave me yesterday!). Join me today in doing the same. He promises that we can have peace NO MATTER WHAT is going on around us and He can be trusted to hold up to His promises!

Simple Trust

It looks like it is going to be another perfect fall day in Charlotte. I am having a few friends over for lunch today. We're going to discuss chapter three of "He Speaks to Me" together. I'll let you know what other insights I get from them!

At a time when our economy is going wacky, simple trust is going to be more important than ever. On Tuesday, I had my time with the Lord for 2 1/2 hours at the gas station, waiting in line to get gas (I finally left the station because the gas tanker had still not shown up).

It seems that in our country, some of the most simple things in life are becoming issues of trust for some of us. In her book "He Speaks to Me", Priscilla Shirer challenges some of our thinking on what trust looks like. She reminds us that Jesus said that unless we come to Him as little children, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God. Children trust their parents for EVERYTHING. Food, clothing, a place to live. She says, "Failure to do exactly what God asks, regardless of how strange and incomplete His instructions may seem, shows that we don't trust Him. It shows we don't believe that He is God and knows what's best."

I have to say that the times in my life when I have trusted God (obeying and following Him even when I just don't get it) are the times when I have received the most blessing. Some of those have been:
* Saying "no" to dating Greg so that I could focus on my relationship with Jesus only to have God say "yes" to marrying him later
* Choosing to stay at home with my kids and home school and later getting to do my true heart's desire - ministry & writing.
* Choosing to honor Greg when he asked me to not start working last year and now am getting to volunteer with others who have the same passion as I do!
* Choosing not to go into debt last year to get something I just "knew" would make our family happy. The Lord knew what was going to happen in the economy!

Those are a few of the times in my life when I have trusted that the Lord knew what He was doing, even when I didn't want to obey. Priscilla reminds us that even when we can't see the answers "trusting the Lord implies that we expect Him to come through for us".

What are you trusting Him for today? I am trusting Him:
* to find the right publisher for my book and have it done in His timing
* to take care of us (Greg's business is in investments) at this crazy time
* to give us wisdom on where Mariah should go to high school (she is considering Christian school
* to give us wisdom on where Zach should go to college

Of course the list would go on and on. How about you? How are you completely relying on God today?